Sabeel Wave of Prayer: Israeli elections; Holy Week access to Jerusalem
Wave of Prayer: This prayer ministry enables local and international friends of Sabeel to pray over regional concerns on a weekly basis. Sent to Sabeel’s network of supporters, the prayer is used in services around the world and during Sabeel’s Thursday Communion service; as each community in its respective time zone lifts these concerns in prayer at noon every Thursday, this “wave of prayer” washes over the world.
Last week Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reelected. In his last-minute campaign pledge he said he would oppose the creation of a Palestinian state and warned that Palestinians with Israeli citizenship “are voting in droves.” Lord, we pray that the international community and the peace movement within Israel will put pressure on the new Israeli government to work for a just peace and to give Palestinians their human rights. We also pray that all citizens of Israel will receive equal treatment under the law. Lord in your mercy…
With Palm Sunday this weekend, many Palestinian Christians living in the West Bank are still waiting to hear if they will obtain permits from the Israeli military to go to Jerusalem for the holiday celebrations and worship. Lord, we pray that all Palestinians will have access to their places of worship in Jerusalem, and that the Holy City will be open to all faiths. Lord in your mercy…
This week the first new UNRWA school was inaugurated in Gaza since last summer’s Israeli military offensive which damaged over 200 schools and destroyed more than two dozen. God of mercy, we recognize this small step forward, but worry about the overwhelming amount of rebuilding needed to give the children of Gaza adequate homes and learning environments. Lord in your mercy…
Lord, we ask for your blessing on a talk in Nazareth by Sabeel co-founders Rev. Naim Ateek and Cedar Duaybis on “The ministry of Sabeel and Liberation Theology on the occasion of 25 years of Palestinian Liberation Theology (PLT).” May all be inspired by the ministry of Sabeel and PLT and continue to work for peace and justice in this land. Lord in your mercy…
We pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of China, Hong Kong and Macau. Lord in your mercy…